President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his message during the virtual Independence Day celebration of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait on 12 June 2021. (RTVM video screenshot)

For the second year in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait on 12 June 2021 celebrated the 123rd anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence through an upbeat virtual program that also recognized exceptional Filipino organizations and individuals during the pandemic.

Following the rise of active COVID-19 cases among its own personnel, the Embassy cancelled its planned Independence Day celebration and instead produced a video presentation that premiered on Facebook on June 12. The Embassy’s online program registered 4,400 views during its 53-minute premiere, and recorded more than 17,000 views within 36 hours of its release on Facebook.

In his Independence Day message, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot reminded overseas Filipinos in Kuwait that it through the spirit of bayanihan that they will overcome the challenges of the present pandemic.

“While we take stock of the freedoms that we now cherish, this day also reminds us of our continuing struggle to be free from the Coronavirus Disease. It is through bayanihan, the collective will and action of the Filipino people, that today’s celebration carries the theme: ‘Kalayaan 2021: Spirit of Freedom in Unity and National Healing,’” Ambassador Lomondot said.

Hosted by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Adrian Audrey L. Baccay, the online program featured the Independence Day video messages of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista.

The virtual program also gave a spotlight to this year’s quincentennial commemorations in the Philippines, which mark the 500th anniversary of the victory of Lapulapu at Mactan and humankind’s first circumnavigation of the world, and the Philippines’ participation at the upcoming Expo 2020 in Dubai through the “Bangkota” (Coral Reef) Pavilion.

The highlight of the online Independence Day celebration was the recognition of exceptional Filipino organizations and individuals in Kuwait who supported the Embassy and extended generous help to overseas Filipinos since the COVID-19 first broke out in March 2020.

Ambassador Lomondot read the names of the awardees, led by the Coalition of Filipino Community Organizations in Kuwait (COALITION) and the Association of Filipino Organizations in Kuwait (ASFOK). Both umbrella organizations spearheaded the distribution of food relief packs to OFWs who were severely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, and provided generous volunteer work for the Embassy’s Mobile Passport Service that has already benefited tens of thousands of Filipinos.

Other notable awardees include the Pinoy Ambulance Nurses in Kuwait (PANIK) for their provision of urgent medical assistance to Filipinos who contracted the COVID-19 during the nationwide lockdown, and Mr. Ricky Laxa and Ms. Michelle Fe “Maxxy” Santiago for bringing relevant news and information to the public during the pandemic. END

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot gives recognition to exceptional Filipino organizations and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the virtual Independence Day celebration of the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait on 12 June 2021. (Kuwait PE screenshot)